Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the alleged rape of a 10-year-old by a 19-year-old neighbour on Christmas day.
Describing the act as “ghastly”, Modise called on authorities not to grant the man bail when he appears in the Itsoseng Magistrate's Court today.
She said the incident had robbed the young girl of her innocence and was a betrayal of trust.
“There is no place in society for those who rob our young children, including infants, of their innocence and the elderly of their dignity. We call on real men to stand up to be counted against the scourge of rape,” said Modise.
According to police, the arrested suspect had asked the girl to accompany him to a nearby village and she agreed.
“It is alleged that on their way, the suspect grabbed the victim [and took her] to a nearby plantation where he allegedly raped her,” said police spokesperson Captain Pelonomi Makau.
The girl reported the incident to her parents when she got home.
“She was taken to the hospital and rape was confirmed. The suspect was later arrested,” said Makau. – SAnews.gov.za
